Before and After interior design of the principle bedroom of a penthouse.

This beautiful and energetic reception desk is made of concrete and marble and is a masterpiece of complicated lines, angles and cuts.

A statement about pillows!

Rooms with feeling, colors, textures and light can powerfully influence how we live our lives. As a Baltimore Interior Designer, I wholeheartedly believe that beautiful things in one's life, surroundings and relationships not only adds value, but in fact, brings more beautiful things into your life.

The Carlyle, where I quite seriously plan to retire, is the very definition of Old New York to me. The 21 Club (the original one) and similar spaces in Manhattan have the strange but wonderful ability to make me feel about as protected from the world as anything could. As a Grande Dame should be, the hotel is a beacon of civility and conviviality right in the middle of the biggest city in America. 

One of the first things a designer will do upon assessing a room, is to determine the quality of natural light. What direction does it come from? Is it filtered/diffused or is it direct and somewhat harsh?

Considered by many to be possibly the most beautiful room in New York, this room is a brilliant testament to the proper, if lavish, way to decorate a room. The trompe l’oeil murals created by American artist Edward Melcarth can only be truly appreciated while within the space proper.  In fact trompe l’oeil is (when done well) best taken in while in person.  It can seem to “move” with you as we have seen a portrait’s eyes do in the best of oils.

I admit this room has no reference at all to the 1950′s, and that’s just it. Back then, that colour scheme was part of a fad, and like all fads/trends and splashy – “this is today’s look” – and when there is this kind of promotion, it’s when we end up with unfortunate memories. Nope, for me, Classic and timeless always gets it right.